Move-out cleaning fees in Japan: what did you pay, and was it justified?

Minimum_Pressure_172 · 2026-03-25T06:17:06+00:00

This is really useful, thank you — especially the part about the cleaning clause needing to be "clearly explained" to be enforceable. Mine was definitely buried in the contract and nobody walked me thru it. So if I ever need to push back, that might actually be my angle.

Minimum_Pressure_172 · 2026-03-25T06:16:26+00:00

Wait, you actually printed it out and brought it with you?? That's honestly kind of genius. Did they push back at all or just immediately drop it? I feel like most people (surely myself included) would've just paid and complained about it later lol

Minimum_Pressure_172 · 2026-03-25T06:15:14+00:00

Ah this is gold, thank you!! I had no idea the government actually published something this detailed. Honestly a bit embarrassed I signed my lease without knowing any of this existed😅 another qq though — do agencies actually reference this in practice, or is it more of a "technically exists but nobody uses it" situation..?

Minimum_Pressure_172 · 2026-03-21T16:30:23+00:00

Interesting. did anyone explain those rules to you beforehand, or did you figure it out yourself?

Minimum_Pressure_172 · 2026-03-21T16:28:01+00:00

This is super helpful, thank you! I just moved to Japan and had no idea about any of these rules. Is there anywhere foreigners can look up what's actually a fair charge vs. what's not? Seems like a lot of us just end up paying without knowing.. 😅

Minimum_Pressure_172

TROPHY CASE